Your thoughts on Speedmaster The legend Schumacher Edition

Archer

There were several parts that were upgraded over the life of this movement.

1 - Screw for hammer-lever banking bridge - screw strengthened due to the head snapping off on earlier versions.

2 - Column wheel operating lever - stronger version to prevent bending of the lever, which would make the chronograph inoperative.

3 - Minute counter jumper - modified to prevent the jumper from breaking off, rendering the minute counter inoperative.

4 - Hammer operating lever - first iteration would bend, the second iteration was made stronger, but resulted in too strong of a reset of the chronograph (hands would shoot past zero too far and not be centered). The third one is the Goldilocks version - not too weak and not too strong.

5 - Rocking bar - new version prevents potential bending of the setting lever.

These are all of the upgrades to the swiss lever escapement versions of the movement. The co-axial watches had other upgrades related to the co-axial design, but are not relevant for the watch in question.

Note that all of these chronograph upgrades were completed in models produced after the middle of 2008, so if the watch was produced after that, all these upgrades should already be done. These are considered mandatory upgrades by Omega, so if the watch went back for servicing at Omega or at a qualified independent watchmaker, the upgrades would have been done at the time of the last service (I have done these upgrades on many of these movements over the years).

I have serviced quite a number of these movements, both co-axial and Swiss lever versions, and there has only been one that has crossed my bench that actually displayed a problem related to the parts that are upgraded. This is that movement:



If you look at the hook that grabs the column wheel to turn it, the one on the left is just slightly further away from the column wheel teeth than it is on the right. This is the column wheel operating lever, and the one on the left came into my shop bent. The new version was installed and it worked fine after that. Here is a video showing the operation of the column wheel after the part was changed:

It should be noted that over the years there has been a concerted effort by one individual on forums (he's a member here also, but not very active) to paint this movement in a negative light and as being particularly problematic, when that really is not the case. I can't say for sure how many I've serviced, but it's a good number, and only one has ever had any problem related to the upgraded parts. Omega changing these parts is a sign of them being proactive more than anything else.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Al

03Hemi

I think it's a super looking watch, especially the first one you posted. Now you've heard from a certified Omega expert on how dependable the movement is, what's holding you up. Beautiful watch.

Vercingetorix

Did you get the Schumacher box?

STANDY

Speedmasters and cars.... Manual or nothing.

Stufflers Mom

Yes, it's a full set, pictogram says it's cal. 3301

Redadmiral2

Is it brand new or second hand it looks stunning

Stufflers Mom

The watch has been sitting in the AD for several years unsold, so it is new old stock, but the important thing it came with the paperwork stamped yesterday, so I believe that Omega should stand by the warranty if I ever need it.

Also, I tried it on a strap today and it looks good imo.

Redadmiral2

It might be an idea to register it on omega website you might get today’s warranty equivalent

Stufflers Mom

I've had a look on the Omega website today, but I couldn't see anywhere to register the watch, is this something you have seen before?

Redadmiral2

When I got my bond watch I could register on line and see the test results for the watch but I had to give name address etc

Stufflers Mom

I've had a look on the Omega website today, but I couldn't see anywhere to register the watch, is this something you have seen before?

T toolr

Your's is actually a different model from the series of three above. It is a limited edition of 6,000 and came out prior to the non LE models mentioned above.

Stufflers Mom

It certainly was good info. the watch came with a two year international Omega warranty so if anything does go wrong I can always send to Omega to have it repaired.

Stufflers Mom

Perhaps they have changed this as I couldn't find anything about it on the official website.